The Extra Mile - The Official Charity Miles Podcast

Team, when I was in Squaw Valley for the Spartan World Championships, I had the honor of meeting Kristen Ulmer who, for 12 consecutive years, was the world's top female big mountain extreme skiier. (My dream job!) From Wikipedia: Ulmer was on the US Ski Team for moguls in 1991. She also starred in over 20 ski movies, and was called by the ski media the best woman big mountain extreme skier in the world from 1990-2001. In 1997 Ulmer was also voted in a Powder Magazine ski industry survey to be the best overall female skier in the world, beating even Olympic gold medalists. She was known for jumping off up to 70-foot cliffs, throwing flips, and for ski mountaineering feats such as the first female ski decent of Wyoming’s Grand Teton in 1997. An avid rock and ice climber, paraglider pilot, adventure cyclist, and kiteboarder, Ulmer was also voted by the outdoor industry in a 2000 Women’s Sports and Fitness Magazine poll to be the most extreme woman athlete in North America, beating women in all sports disciplines

In this episode, I walk with my good friend, Iron Jack Chen on the High Line of New York City. Jack is a blind Ironman triathlete who has completed two Ironman races, as well as a number of other endurance challenges. (I have had the honor to be his guide.) Jack and I are now training to participate in the Race Across America, an annual bike race across from Seaside, California to Annapolis, Maryland.  We'll be doing the race next summer, as part of a team of four blind cyclists (and four sighted pilots). Our team, Sea to See, is racing to change the way sighted people see blind people.  (And the way blind people see themselves.)  The team will be the first team of blind cyclists to do this race, which is one of the most difficult endurance challenges in the world. I'm tremendously honored to be on this team with Jack and our other teammates, all of whom are incredibly accomplished– both athletically, professionally and otherwise.  Thanks to Jack to inviting me to be part of this epic journey– and for walkin

In this episode, I walk with Bart Yasso in Emmaus, Pennsylvania.  Bart has been the Chief Running Officer of Runner's World for thirty years!  He has completed races on all seven continents, including the Antarctica marathon, the Mt. Kilimanjaro marathon, Badwater 146 and 5 Ironman races.  He has also cycled across the country twice, unsupported and by himself. As the Chief Running Officer of Runner's World, Bart travels for 40 weekends a year to races around the world where he gets to not only share his story to inspire others, but also gets to hear and witness others' inspiring stories.  He has become the custodian and voice of the running community.  And, when he retires at the end of this year, there will be some very big shoes to fill. On a personal note, I have admired Bart for years, ever since I started running and first started reading his columns in Runner's World.  Bart's message, “You never know where running can take you,” has inspired me, and is at the heart of what we do at Charity Miles.  I'm

In this episode, I walk with Miguel Lara and Mickey Mahaffey in Boston, Massachusetts.  Miguel Lara is a Tarahumaran ultramarathon champion.  If you've read Born to Run, then you'll remember that the Tarahumara are a tribe that lives in the Copper Canyons of Mexico.  They are some of the best ultramarathoners in the world– because walking and running long distances (barefoot) is just a way of life for them.  And Miguel is one of the best of the best. Mickey Mahaffey is an American who has been living with the Tarahumara for 20 years.  His story of how he came to become one of the only white people accepted by the Tarahumara is equally as amazing. I met Miguel and Mickey when I was in Boston for the marathon weekend.  And when I started to hear their stories, I asked if I could record them for the podcast.  Big thanks to them for taking the time to share their stories and wisdom with us.  This is a very special interview and I look forward to visiting them in Mexico someday soon!  #EveryMileMatters Subscribe

In this episode, I run with Nir Eyal on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Nir is one of the most sought after minds in Silicon Valley for his work at the intersection of technology and psychology, principally with regards to his work on habit formation. Nir literally wrote the book on habit formation.  His book, Hooked, is the primer that all tech companies (including us) use in trying to make their products more habit forming.  His blog is a must-read for anyone in the industry, and anyone who is interested in how technology influences us.  And he has consulted for every major tech company that is changing our behavioral landscape. Nir's work has also been a big influence on me personally.  (Just ask my team– they're a bit tired of how often I bring it up in meetings.)  And I'm super grateful to Nir for taking the time to share his insight with us so that we can all form healthier habits– and break some of our bad ones.  #EveryMileMatters Subscribe on iTunes / Subscribe on Stitcher / Subscribe on Google Pl

In this episode, I walk with Dan Pallotta in Toppsfield, Massachussetts. Dan is an entrepreneur, author and thought leader who will change the way you think about charity. Dan founded the AIDS Rides and the first three-day cancer walks, raising over $500M for charity. His experiences led him to write three great books, including Uncharitable, How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential, which is a must-read for anyone interested in making an impact. Dan has also given two of my favorite TED talks which I highly recommend that you watch and share widely: The way we think about charity is dead wrong. The dream we haven't dared to dream. Dan is now the founder of the Charity Defense Council, Advertising for Humanity and the Bolder Board training initiative.  Big thanks to Dan for walking with us and encouraging us all to dream big and be bolder. #EveryMileMatters! Subscribe on iTunes / Subscribe on Stitcher / Subscribe on Google Play     The post Dream Big, Be Bolder with Dan Pallotta, Entrepr

In this episode, I walk with Scott Jurek in Boulder, Colorado.  Scott is an ultra-running legend whose accomplishments include: Winning the Western States 100 Mile Ultramarathon a record 7 times– in a row! Winning Badwater (a 135 mile sufferfest through Death Valley) twice– and setting a course record there! Setting a U.S. Record for the most miles run in 24 hours- 165.7 miles! Setting a course record for thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine! But Scott is more than an ultramarathoner.  He is extraordinarily generous with his time and talents. And he has worked to support a number of great organizations, including many of our partners like Every Mother Counts, The Nature Conservancy, Achilles International and The USO. Big thanks to Scott for sharing his story with us. #EveryMileMatters! Subscribe on iTunes / Subscribe on Stitcher / Subscribe on Google Play   The post Go The Distance with Scott Jurek, Ultrarunning Legend and Philanthropist appeared first on Charity Miles.

In this is a special and very important interview, I walk with Julia Vitarello in Boulder, Colorado. Julia is fighting a fight that none of us would ever want to fight. Her young daughter Mila has Batten Disease, a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease.  It is especially brutal because it is so rare that Julia and her family have almost nobody to turn to for help. But they have a ray of hope because, through Julia's tireless efforts, she was able to get a clinical trial approved through Harvard University in Boston Children's Hospital.  Now they need to raise the money in order for the trial to go forward. Which is why we're putting out a beacon to let Mila, Julia and their family know that we've got their backs.  If you're as moved by their story as I am, please click here to visit their GoFundMe page to make a donation.  If we all make a small donation, we can all make a big impact. I know we all have a lot of causes that are calling for our attention and our donations.  And I know it seems impossible to

In this episode, I walk with Jesse Itzler in Putnam County, Connecticut.  Jesse is an entrepreneur, author, endurance athlete and “Fitlanthropist”.  He also spent a month living with a Navy Seal (the legendary David Goggins) and lived to write a book about it.  Jesse shares some priceless insights, and challenges us to do “hard stuff” to test our limits and help others.  Big thanks to Jesse for taking the time to walk with us.  #EveryMileMatters! Subscribe on iTunes / Subscribe on Stitcher / Subscribe on Google Play   The post Do Hard Stuff with Jesse Itzler, Entrepreneur, Author and “Fitlanthropist” appeared first on Charity Miles.

This episode is a long run, 8 miles with U.S. Congresswoman, Kyrsten Sinema.  I recorded this interview back in January, just two days after Donald Trump's inauguration.  I actually never intended to release it.  Kyrsten is a good friend and was visiting New York.  And I just wanted to test out my new podcast recorder and practice interviewing someone. But I think our conversation is very timely for what's going on in our country right now.  Kyrsten, a Democratic Congresswoman, has been elected three times in a red-leaning district in a red state, Arizona. She has a lot to share with us about practicing empathy and what she calls “radical acceptance”. Thanks to Kyrsten for allowing me to release this rehearsal episode.  More to come in the show notes later Subscribe on iTunes / Subscribe on Stitcher / Subscribe on Google Play The post Practice Radical Empathy with Kyrsten Simena, U.S. Congresswoman, Ironman and Ultramarathoner appeared first on Charity Miles.

We are so thrilled to welcome you to the new Charity Miles podcast, The Extra Mile.  In each episode, I'll be interviewing someone who is going the extra mile for health, and to make an impact. But unlike other podcasts, I don't record these interviews in a fancy studio or on the phone. Instead, I meet each person where they are, and record the interview on an actual walk or run with them.  We hope that you'll put in your earphones, turn on your Charity Miles and come along for the walk or run with us. So far, we've recorded interviews with ten amazing people. We'll be releasing five episodes to start, and then about one a week.  So please subscribe to the podcast and tell your friends. Also, if you like the podcast or have any suggestions or questions, please leave a review in iTunes (or whatever service you use for podcasts).  We'll try to answer your questions in future episodes.  And since we really appreciate your feedback, we'll randomly award some T-Shirts to people who leave reviews. Finally, I just h

In this episode, I run with Jimmy Choi in Central Park, New York City.  Jimmy is a Charity Miles and Team Fox All-Star.  He was diagnosed with Parkinson's when he was 27.  And now, at 41, he has run 13 marathons, 88 half marathons and countless other races.  He also just competed on American Ninja Warrior.  Jimmy is a good friend and an inspiration to me personally.  More to come in the show notes later Subscribe on iTunes / Subscribe on Stitcher / Subscribe on Google Play The post Overcome Obstacles with Jimmy Choi, American Ninja Warrior appeared first on Charity Miles.

In this episode, I walk with Jillian Michaels on the beach in Malibu.  Many of you remember Jillian from NBC's The Biggest Loser.  She is a fitness expert, life coach, entrepreneur, author and all-around great human being.   More to come in the show notes later Subscribe on iTunes / Subscribe on Stitcher / Subscribe on Google Play   The post Work + Purpose = Passion with Jillian Michaels, Fitness Expert and Life Coach appeared first on Charity Miles.

In this episode, I walk with Scott Harrison, founder of Charity: Water through lower Manhattan, and along the Hudson River in New York City.  More to come on the show notes later Subscribe on iTunes / Subscribe on Stitcher / Subscribe on Google Play The post Tap Into Your Well of Purpose with Scott Harrison, Founder of Charity: Water appeared first on Charity Miles.